The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 33 – The Forwards

Having dissected the midfielders in yesterday’s Watchlist article, we analyse our favoured forwards over the next four-to-six Gameweeks. A third consecutive double-figure haul sees Glenn Murray jumps up the rankings, while Leicester’s favourable run-in brings the in-form Jamie Vardy firmly into focus.

Sergio Aguero returns to the summit after breaking his goal scoring drought in the Manchester derby. The 12.5-valued forward bagged a brace in City’s 4-2 defeat to United, and with a favourable run-in (WHM, AVL, tot, QPR, swa, SOT), including three plum home matches in the next four, he looks worth holding on to, despite the obvious temptation to bring in forwards who have a double in Gameweek 34.

With three blanks in his last four appearances, Harry Kane drops a place in our latest update. The underlying stats are also cause for concern, with the Tottenham forward only registering eight shots from inside the box in the last four Gameweeks, compared to 16 between Gameweek 25 and 28. This weekend’s clash at Newcastle is favourable, but with the fixtures then getting tougher (sot, MCI, sto), Kane could struggle to repeat his phenomenal mid-season form.

Having averaged 12.6 points per appearance over the last three Gameweeks, Glenn Murray is undoubtedly the form player in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) at the moment. The Crystal Palace forward has managed nine shots from inside the box in the last four Gameweeks, a decent number considering his 5.2 price tag. With two favourable home fixtures (WBA, HUL) up next before the schedule turns nasty (che, MUN, liv), Murray looks a strong short-term play, particularly for those looking for an option just for Gameweek 33 before utilising their wildcard for double Gameweek 34.

After racking up two goals and as many assists in his last three appearances, Jamie Vardy finds a place towards the top of our Watchlist. Along with form, the 4.5-valued forward also has the fixtures (SWA, bur/CHE, NEW, SOT, sun, QPR) in his favour, including a double next week. Crucially for some, his lowly price tag enables Fantasy managers to bring in premium midfielders such as Cesc Fabregas and Raheem Sterling for double Gameweek 34.

Chelsea’s Loic Remy keeps his place in our ladder despite missing the West London derby against QPR with a muscle injury picked up in training. The 7.2-rated forward is expected to be fit to return for Saturday’s encounter against Man United, and with Diego Costa still unlikely to return for double Gameweek 34 (ars/lei), the French international looks an enticing short-term prospect. It is worth bearing in mind, though, that the Blues have only scored ten goals in their last seven Premier League matches, compared to 16 between Gameweek 18 and 24.

Wayne Rooney moves up a couple of places this time around, having scored four goals and provided an assist over the last six Gameweeks. With Louis van Gaal’s 4-3-3 formation working so well, the fit-again Robin van Persie may struggle to regain a spot in the starting XI, so although United’s upcoming schedule (che, eve, WBA, cpl, ARS, hul) is mixed, the confidence surging through Old Trafford at the moment helps boost Rooney’s Fantasy prospects.

Facing a blank this week and with Chelsea visiting the Emirates in Gameweek 34, Olivier Giroud had to fall in our latest refresh. The blank against Burnley halted a run of seven goals in six appearances, so while the French international’s form is strong, it isn’t surprising he heads the transfers out this week, given the options available to us for double Gameweek 34. Nonetheless, with Arsenal’s schedule from Gameweek 35 so favourable (hul, SWA, mun/SUN, WBA), it appears imperative Fantasy managers formulate a plan to bring the 8.8-rated forward back in, with Giroud amongst the favourites for the captain’s armband for the Gunners own double in Gameweek 37.

With eight goals in his last six league appearances, Christian Benteke is clearly enjoying life under Tim Sherwood at Villa Park. Like Giroud, the Belgian’s Fantasy prospects aren’t bright for the next two Gameweeks (blank, mci), but with a kind run-in (EVE, WHM, sot, BUR) to follow, the 7.5-priced forward could be a handy differential down the stretch, with his current ownership standing at just 3.2%.

Graziano Pelle returns to the Watchlist, having found the net for the first time since Gameweek 17 in Southampton’s 2-0 win against Hull. Ronald Koeman’s side should benefit from a strong run-in (sto, TOT, sun, lei, AVL, mci), making the 7.4-priced forward a viable option, but with double Gameweeks around the corner, any investment in the Italian international looks unlikely right now.

QPR’s Charlie Austin is another victim of a blank this week, with Rangers’ schedule thereafter not particularly favourable either (WHM, liv, mci, NEW, lei). The 6.5-valued forward has been in good form, registering two goals and three assists in his last four outings, but with so much competition for places in our three-man frontlines, expect Austin’s 21% ownership to continue to dwindle over the next few weeks.

Following the news that Romelu Lukaku is on course to return to the Everton squad for Saturday’s home encounter against Burnley after stepping up his recovery from a hamstring injury, the Belgian international finds his way back into our thoughts. The Toffees face four home matches (BUR, MUN, SUN, TOT) in their final six league encounters, along with trips to Aston Villa and West Ham, and with a goal and three assists in his last two outings at Goodison Park, the 8.7-priced forward may be worthy of some consideration.